NIWFA

Glentoran Belfast United Reserves 1–0 Ballymena Utd Allstars Reserves

Date: Thursday 12th August, 2010
Location: Ormeau Rec Centre
Referee: Alan Hayes

Match Report

The team played their final league game against Ballymena Allstars Reserves.

Ballymena had made consistent progress throughout the year and succeeded in heading GBU in the League table by 1 point.

This was the game that would decide which team would lift the Davison’s Frudles Reserve League Cup.

A draw would see the cup go to Ballymena with GBU needing to take the 3 points to finish 2 points ahead and clinch the title for the 3rd year in succession.

Even before referee Alan Hayes assembled both sides, everyone in the GBU camp new the importance of this game.

Bearing in mind that last week Ballymena came so close to putting the reserves out of the Reserve Cup, the tension could almost be felt in the air.

As the game got under way each team was anxious not to make any mistakes to let the other take advantage. This made for an interesting game and both defences dealt well with the numerous attacks. The game was played at a high tempo and saw action constantly change from end to end.

Crosses from Gratten and Murray were well placed into the 6 yard box but the Ballymena defence stood firm and denied each attack.

The opposition forwards broke through on a number of occasions but GBU keeper Farrell and the back four of Richardson. McQuillan, Crawford guided by the experienced GBU Captain Lisa Downey were on brilliant form and dealt with every ball that came their way. So the game was very much either sides at this stage until the 24th minute when Crawford shook off a challenge and then struck from the right wing with a 25 yard left footed shot that soared above the keepers head and nestled nicely into the back of the net.

While this goal gave GBU a welcome boost it also had the same effect on Ballymena and the GBU midfield of Hutton and McCloskey were kept busy but ably assisted by the vastly experienced and talented O’Hanlon they confidently controlled their piece of the park. Wilson played confidently on both sides of the park and fed a number of beautifully weighted passes to O’Hanlon.

Ballymena were unable to recover from the single goal and so the game ended with a much needed and well deserved win to GBU which was enough to get their name engraved on the Reserve League Cup for a third consecutive year.

The game was well mannered throughout and referee Hayes had little to deal with and kept his cards in his pocket and indeed Ballymena are to be congratulated on being worthy and sporting opponents.

While the team delivered on the night, it would not be right to end this report without paying tribute to the backroom staff who put in the hard work to get the team to this stage. So on behalf of all the players thank you Cheryl, Mark, Sharon, Lee, Maura and the physios. If I have omitted to thank anyone it was not intentional.